Antenna apparatus and spacecraft to be deployed in a more compactly stored state are disclosed. In an example of the disclosed technology, a spacecraft includes: a main-reflection unit configured to reflect and emit a radio wave outside, a sub-reflection unit configured to face the main-reflection unit, a radiator arranged to face the sub-reflection unit and configured to radiate the radio wave in a direction of the sub-reflection unit, a main body configured to be able to accommodate at least one part of the sub-reflection unit therein, and a delivery device connected to the sub-reflection unit and configured to deliver the sub-reflection unit, at least one part of which is accommodated in the main body, to a position where the sub-reflection unit is able to reflect the radio wave radiated from the radiator to the main-reflection unit and cause the main-reflection unit to radiate the radio wave outside.

A satellite includes first and second extensible pantographic trusses, each configured to extend outwardly from the satellite in opposite directions from a stored position to a deployed position, and first and second sets of ribs carried by the respective first and second extensible pantographic trusses. A Radio Frequency (RF) reflective film may be carried by the first and second sets of ribs to define a curved RF reflector surface. The satellite antenna may include first and second sets of phased array antenna feeds carried by the respective first and second extensible pantographic trusses and directed toward the RF reflective film, which in an example may be a RF reflective mesh.

Techniques for antenna configuration for a foldable device are described and may be implemented via a wireless device to adapt to a variety of different wireless scenarios. For instance, configuration of an antenna system of a wireless device is adapted to optimize wireless performance in different physical configurations, such as open configurations and folded configurations. Generally, the described techniques optimize performance in different frequency bands based on changes in device configuration between open positions and folded positions.

Techniques for antenna configuration for a foldable device are described and may be implemented via a wireless device to adapt to a variety of different wireless scenarios. For instance, configuration of an antenna system of a wireless device is adapted to optimize wireless performance in different physical configurations, such as open configurations and folded configurations. Generally, the described techniques optimize performance in different frequency bands based on changes in device configuration between open positions and folded positions.

An antenna for a portable communication device is provided. The antenna comprises an antenna body having an upper section and a lower section with a connection point therebetween. The connection point being configured to: couple the upper and lower sections during normal antenna operation; decouple the upper and lower sections in response to an impact event; and recouple the upper and lower sections after the impact event.

A flight vehicle includes a drone with a pair of shaped protrusions mechanically coupled to the drone. One of the shapes is a hollow lift-producing shape, such as being a balloon filed with a lighter-than-air gas, and the other of the shapes is below the drone. The shape below the drone may be a hollow shape that does not produce lift, for example being a balloon filled with air. The shapes may be similar in size and shape, so as to provide similar drag characteristics. The shapes may be opposite ends of a support, such as a stick, rod, or other (relatively) slender structure. The vehicle includes a payload, such as radar calibration equipment or an antenna. The drone may be used to counteract wind forces on the flight vehicle, and/or to otherwise position the flight vehicle.

A transport vehicle includes at least one antenna, at least one satellite positioning receiver configured to receive positional information via the antenna, at least one antenna support member including an antenna attachment portion with the antenna attached thereto and a vehicle body connector connected to the vehicle body, and a vehicle position estimator configured to estimate a vehicle position of the transport vehicle using the positional information received by the satellite positioning receiver. The antenna support member is configured to move between at least one use state, in which the antenna is disposed at at least one use position at a predetermined distance above a loading surface of the cargo bed, and a stored state in which the antenna is disposed below the use position.

A transport vehicle includes at least one antenna, at least one satellite positioning receiver configured to receive positional information via the antenna, at least one antenna support member including an antenna attachment portion with the antenna attached thereto and a vehicle body connector connected to the vehicle body, and a vehicle position estimator configured to estimate a vehicle position of the transport vehicle using the positional information received by the satellite positioning receiver. The antenna support member is configured to move between at least one use state, in which the antenna is disposed at at least one use position at a predetermined distance above a loading surface of the cargo bed, and a stored state in which the antenna is disposed below the use position.

A deployable antenna system for deployment in an extraterrestrial environment is provided, the deployable antenna system comprising a deployment mechanism including one or more extendable support structures comprising at least one axial support structure adapted to extend in a z-direction parallel to a z-axis in the deployable antenna system and a deployable antenna attached to the one or more extendable support structures and adapted to be stowed in an undeployed state and to be unfurled into a deployed state by the deployment mechanism, the deployable antenna being further adapted to extend and unfurl during deployment from the deployment mechanism in the z-direction responsive to extension of the at least one axial support structure, the deployable antenna including one or more flexible membranes coupled to the at least one axial support structure and extending from the z-axis in the deployed state.

A deployable antenna system for deployment in an extraterrestrial environment is provided, the deployable antenna system comprising a deployment mechanism including one or more extendable support structures comprising at least one axial support structure adapted to extend in a z-direction parallel to a z-axis in the deployable antenna system and a deployable antenna attached to the one or more extendable support structures and adapted to be stowed in an undeployed state and to be unfurled into a deployed state by the deployment mechanism, the deployable antenna being further adapted to extend and unfurl during deployment from the deployment mechanism in the z-direction responsive to extension of the at least one axial support structure, the deployable antenna including one or more flexible membranes coupled to the at least one axial support structure and extending from the z-axis in the deployed state.